List of Barangays
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Barangay
Togong |
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Togong is one of
the original barrios of Banton. Fact is, it was already existing
even before the founding of
Banton
Municipality in 1918.
Its name was
derived from the local word “Tugon” which in English means to
request someone to so something for another person. According to the
local folks the early settlers were fond of requesting to do or buy
something for them through “togon”.
The early
settlers of Togong are believed to be Bicolanos who were able to
escape from their Moro Captors and found the place very suitable to
live in. It comprises the sitios of Malabiga, Sabiler, Yambon, Buyok,
Nabuyor, Libas, Torrel and Buydang.
The fresh water
spring at Malabiga was once the primary source of water not only for
the Togong but as far as Banice and neighboring Lagang. These days
however dependence on spring water has greatly diminished with the
construction of concrete rain collector in most households.
Togonganons are
mostly farmers, fishermem and small businessmen. A few Togonganons
are in money lending business which provides loans to many
Bantoanons in need both in the island and even those in Metro
Manila.
When in Togong it
is a pleasure to swim at Malabiga and Cambonga’s fine sandy beaches.
It is also a marvel to see how the road connecting the barrio to
nearby Lagang was constructed despite the absence of vital
construction equipment. |
Barangay
Banice |
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Banice is a
daughter barangay of neighboring Togong from which she formally
separated in 1929 to become one of the 17 barangays of Banton. The
barangays got its name from the word “Nag-isi-isi”(zigzagging). As
according to legend there was once a stranded in the waters of the
barangay which eventually lost control and sailed aimlessly
zigzagging. Another story tells of a message in a bottle which was
drifted ashore at Tambak and picked up by the natives which rean
“BAH NICE”. Unable to pronounce the English word the inhabitants
read it as Ba-ni-ce, which is later became the name agreed to call
their barrio.
Banice has eight
sitios: Bugnay, Cogon, Togbon, Ilada, Cute, Pugot, Tambak and
Suyawan.
Among the
barangay public facilities are elementary school, catholic chapels
in Cute Suyawan and Banice proper, basketball court, muti-purpose
hall, health center and barangay administration building. Water
supply is provided by concrete rainwater collectors and a pipe
connection from the spring at the foot of Mt. Yumadag.
Banice is famous
for its Pasilagon Point, Tambak cove, which serves as a refuge for
sea crafts when the sea are rough due to “amihan” wind, and
stretches of fine sandy beaches. |
Barangay
Balogo |
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Balogo is the one of the most popular barangays of Banton
these days having been chosen as the most progressive barangay
during the Balik-Pamiyang Bantoanon Celebration.
The barangay got its name from native “Bayoko” tree which
was once very common in the place then. It is now known for its
bowlike day and fine beachfront which was developed just recently
during the launching of Banton 2003, an Eco-tourism initiative of
the Banton municipal government and some Banton-loving individuals
led by the ever dynamic Lyndon Fadri. For mountaineering enthusiasts
challenge if
Mt. Yumadag
awaits them and their mountain climbing skills. It has twelve sitios
namely Boybo, Cabanto, Capudao, Cogon, Cute, Pogot Pook, Pyubanog,
Pyapag, Riyahikan, Saliping and Say-ot.
Among the
public facilities present in the barangay are concrete rain
collectors, Barangay Administration Building, Social Hall,Basketball
court, Catholic chapel and Elementary school. |
Barangay
Mainit |
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Mainit is the farthest Barangay from the poblacion yet many
believe up to now that it was the first townsite of the island. The
elders say that when the first church was being built in Poot Banwa
the statue of San Nicolas banished from its bamboo altar and was
later found in a branch of Amuyawon tree in present townsite at
Poblacion its clothing full of “haminlit” seeds. Considering such
occurrence as a sign the townsite was eventually transferred to the
place where San Nicolas was found. As a consequence Mainit just
became one of the original barrios of the town.
The barangays name was derived from a hot fresh water
spring spouting from underground beneath the shore and easily
observable during the tide. With temperature reaching 90 degrees
Celsius one can get a hard boiled egg in five minutes by digging
into the sand and putting a raw egg into the whole filled with hot
steaming water.
Twenty sitios comprises the barangay: Tobongan, Pudo,
Bantadan, Ayog-og, Puyang Raga, Tuha, Poot Banwa, Naboyhan, Suk-an,
Paegoran,Tuboyan, Macat-ang, Patag¸Boco, Central, Tiyaktak, Kabanto,
Eggis, Tabok and Punta. Interestingly, Paegoran became the site of a
leper colony and cemetery when leprosy struck Banton in 1898.
The barangay
benefits from the public infrastructure erected by its official
among them are the barangay hall, basketball court, Catholic and
Seventh Day Adventist chapels, multi-purpose hall. Recent
development includes the improvements of its fine sandy beaches into
tourism sites.
To enjoy Mainit is to indulge swimming at its fine sandy
beaches and take a trip to Gakot islet(Bantocillo) for the
adventure. Its equally famous sunset is a spectacle to behold
specially for those who seek serenity and peace of mind. |

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